Improvement in spikes



T. R. TIMB'Y.

SPIKE.

No. 171,447. Patented-De"c.21,1875. 1

WITNESSES INVENTOR Q/WQJW Xuc/MJPW I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIen THEODORE B. TIMBY, OF TARRYTOWN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN SPIKES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 171,447, dated December 1375; pp i filed August 14, 1875.

CASE A.

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that I, THEODORE R. TIMBY, of Tarrytown, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Railroad-Spikes, of which the following is a specification:

The subject of my invention is a railroadspike adapted to be constructed by machinery, and having a longitudinal strengthening-rib at its back, near the upper end.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective of a spike illustrating my invention. Fig. 2 is a rear View. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3 3.

A represents the body of the spike; B, the head, and O the point thereof. These may be of usual or any suitable form. D represents a longitudinal rib or fin, projecting rearwardly from the back of the spike near its upper end.

This rib or fin is formed, in the act of constructing the spike, by means of rollers and dies. The said rib or fin extends, as shown,

from the top of thespike to a point below the level to Which it is driven in the wood, and it is formed with a'cuttingedge, d, at its lower end. It serves, without any great increase of weight, to impart great strength and rigidity to the spike where stiffness is most needed.

By this expedient I am enabled to obviate a serious defect in spikes as now usually made. It is well known that great inconvenience and loss occur from the liability of spikes to break or bend in drawing.

I am aware that various expedients have THEODORE R. TIMBY.-

Witnesses: OCTAVIUS KNIGHT, WALTER ALLEN. 

